Stepping into Trust

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NueMKnU8qa0

Greater Things ~ Mack Brock

“But blessed is the man who trusts me, God, the woman who sticks with God. They’re like trees replanted in Eden, putting down roots near the rivers— Never a worry through the hottest of summers, never dropping a leaf, Serene and calm through droughts, bearing fresh fruit every season. ~ Jeremiah 17:7-8 MSG

Brad and I are extremely different regarding writing styles. He’s bullet points, outlines, and structure. I'm rather fluid. I can't tell you how it's going to end till we get there. But God always lets me know when it’s done. If I can handle being fluid in writing, why must I grip other areas of my life so tightly?

I think we all struggle with that in some area of our lives. We're OK to follow God's lead in our finances or relationships with in-laws, but there are other areas we feel we need to govern. Perhaps bad experiences have taught us to rely on ourselves. Perhaps it's how our parents did it and we should follow suit. It's not that we don't love God. It's more fear: what if He asks me to release something that I don’t want to let go?

Years ago, I was really struggling to give God complete control in an area. I remember fear whispering, "What if it hurts? What if it leaves you with nothing?" Then Holy Spirit countered, "What if it's more?"

What if the blessings God wants to shower on you are more than today, simply because you were obedient? What if the hope and peace He wants to pour into your heart are not just full, but overflowing because you opened your hand instead of clenching your fist? 

Trust is unnerving because you're stepping where you can't see and haven't been. This time, instead of turning back to the safety net of your control, push yourself to take the hand of your Father. Step out on the water and find out what He means when He whispers, "What if it's more".

©Heather Potts 2020

More

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GfVd5x9W1Xc

So Will I ~ Hillsong

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts. ~ Isaiah 55:7-8 NKJV 

What is it You want to be for me in this situation that You couldn't be at any other time? ~ Graham Cooke

Things have been crazy since moving here. Although we didn't get any of the things we were hoping for and have had to put on hold some of our dreams and desires, God filled in the gaps with friends and family to walk with us.

Still, these last two + months have been particularly hard. The temp job Brad had ended early for reasons outside of our control. As this stretch of unemployment gets longer, the weight feels heavier and hope seems farther away. Additionally, Savannah’s heart popping, though not serious, has increased in intensity, scaring her. And our only car has been acting up, worrying us that it might die or cost more than we have to fix it. Originally we planned on taking care of it with our tax return, but have since had to use our tax return to supplement our income.

But things change when God speaks. On April 24, I was listening to Graham Cooke, while driving to work. He said to ask God that question. Sitting in the parking lot at work, I prayed and asked God the question. I was prepared to wait days or weeks for an answer. I got out of my car, entered the building, turned down the hallway, and God said, "I AM the Lord Who Provides."

That day I had peace. The next day, my boss/team gave me a $50 gift card for Administrative Assistant's day. That evening, after our life group, one of the guys in our group was able to fix our car for FREE! That Friday, Savannah got adjusted at the chiropractor. She went more than a week without complaining of heart popping. And God has moved in many other ways, too.

Even though Brad still hasn’t found a job, what I realized is that God did answer my prayer, just not how I expected. We've been praying for Brad to get a job because it fills our need for provision. But instead of asking God for His desired way to meet my need, I only asked Him for mine. I love how God not only knows more, but can both humble and quiet me in a breath. And though we are still asking God to provide the work that will fulfill Brad and cover our needs, there’s a peace in the waiting when He whispers, “I AM the Lord Who provides.”

Whatever you are going through and facing today, don't forget that God sees and knows more. I both encourage and challenge you to ask God, "What is it You want to be for me in this situation that You couldn't be at any other time".
©Heather Potts 2018

What If

He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our pregnant condition, and keeps us present before God. That’s why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good. ~ Romans 8:27-28 MSG

In the middle of church this past Sunday, God spoke to me and asked me to do something—having nothing to do with the sermon. I’ve been running His words between my hands, as though a slinky was shifting back and forth, back and forth, back and forth. If I do this action, it could be this outcome, or that outcome, or another outcome. After running that slinky several times, I finally said, “God I can’t do it. It can’t be me—it will only make things worse than they are now.” But God said, “What if it’s better? What if it’s more?”

That last question, “What if it’s more,” is where He really got me because the possibilities in God are endless…and infinitely better than I could achieve on my own. But first, I must be obedient. I must make that first move…and take that first step. And it’s actually taking that step—doing what He’s asked—that scares me. The “what if’s” are endless… But He reminds me that the outcomes don’t have to be negative, because He works all things together for good. Every time I begin to worry or fear, I hear Him whisper, “What if it’s more?”

If there’s something that God’s calling you to do, push aside the fear and worry and do it anyway. Though the enemy has already cast thousands of possible negative outcomes, Holy Spirit whispers, “What if it’s better? What if it’s more?”

©Heather Potts 2016